Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Dennis W Person

Stanley L Pierce

David Allen Janson

Gregory Daniel Goleski

Andy Perakes

Polung Liang

Steven Anatole Frait

John A Daubenmier

Lee John Becker

Po-lung Liang

Frank W Timte

Roy S Williams

Rodney B Smith

Larry A Deutsch

John I Zielke

A system for controlling hydraulic fluid supplied to a torque converter of an transmission includes a torque converter including a chamber containing an impeller and a turbine, and a bypass clutch having a variable torque capacity, a source of variable control pressure, a latch valve changes in response to the variable control pressure alternately between an unlatched state, wherein the latch valve produces a low pressure output, and a latched state, wherein the latch valve produces a high pressure output, a first valve for limiting hydraulic pressure in the chamber alternately at two magnitudes of pressure in response to the low pressure output and the high pressure output, and a second valve responsive to the variable control pressure for regulating a magnitude of hydraulic pressure that actuates the bypass clutch and changes the torque capacity of the clutch.

Control of fluid pressure in a torque converter of an automatic transmission

A transaxle for transmitting power to output at multiple speed ratios includes halfshafts having a portion located in a transaxle case and a second portion extending toward a wheel. A differential mechanism located in the case transmits power between the output and differentially to the halfshafts. A clutch driveably secured to the output and connectable to one of the halfshafts for controlling the magnitude of a speed differential between a speed of the output and a speed of the halfshaft includes a cylinder and a piston moveable in the cylinder. A hydraulic system includes a passage located adjacent a halfshaft and hydraulically communicating an inlet and the cylinder, the inlet being sealed at axially opposite sides against passage of fluid by a seal rings located in a wall that surrounds the passage.

Motor vehicle transaxle having a differential mechanism controlled by an on-demand clutch

A powertrain for transmitting power to the drive wheels of a vehicle includes a transaxle case containing a transaxle drive mechanism for producing variable ratios of a speed of its output and a speed of its input, a differential mechanism for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a first set of drive wheel, a transfer clutch secured to the output for transmitting power between the output and the wheels of a second set of drive wheels, and a control system for hydraulically actuating the transfer clutch.

Transaxle having a differential mechanism and on-demand transfer clutch

In a hydraulic system for an automatic transmission, a method for automatically draining fluid from an oil cooler and related hydraulic lines when power is off to prevent fluid leakage, escape and outflow when they are disconnected from the system. A control system includes a source of relatively high pressure when power is on, an oil cooler, fluid circuit lines for supplying transmission oil to the cooler, a source of low pressure for containing fluid, such as an oil sump, and a valve hydraulically connected to the circuit, high pressure source, and low pressure source, the valve having a first state at which a hydraulic connection through the valve between the circuit and the source of low pressure is closed when power is on, and a second state at which a hydraulic connection through the valve between the circuit and the low pressure source is open when power is off.

Automatic fluid draining from a hydraulic system component of an automatic transmission

A system for directing line pressure alternately to a forward drive circuit and a reverse drive circuit includes three solenoid-operated select valves that direct pressure from a line pressure source to a reverse drive select valve, a forward drive select valve, reverse drive select valve, a range select switch assembly, pressure switches, and two coaxial range control valves. The two drive select valves are interconnected to form a hydraulic latch whose outputs are connected to the range control valve such that either the forward drive friction elements are pressurized, the reverse drive friction elements are pressurized, or none of the friction elements are pressurized.

System for selecting the operating ranges of an automatic transmission

A hydraulic latch for directing line pressure alternately to a forward drive circuit and a reverse drive circuit includes three solenoid-operated select valves that direct pressure from a line pressure source to a reverse drive select valve, a forward drive select valve, and two coaxial range control valves. The two drive select valves are interconnected to form a hydraulic latch whose outputs are connected to the range control valve such that either the forward drive friction elements are pressurized, the reverse drive friction elements are pressurized, or none of the friction elements are pressurized.

Electronic range selection in an automatic transmission

Two solenoid-actuated shuttle valves selectively direct hydraulic fluid from a line pressure source to a clutch and brake servo or direct fluid from the clutch and servo to a low pressure drain, in accordance with the combined states of the solenoids. The system includes several orifices, which in combination control the rate of flow between the pressure source and the friction elements. The orifices control also the flow rate in the system between the friction elements and drain ports. Accumulators are located in the system between the shuttle valves and the friction elements. An arrangement of check valves and orifices located between the shuttle valves and the accumulators establish the rate of flow between each of the accumulators and the associated friction element.

Control and actuation system for hydraulically actuated clutch and brake

A control system for an automatic transmission including pressure actuated clutches and brakes adapted to control ratio changes in a planetary gear system comprising multiple function shift control valves disposed between a pressure source and pressure actuated servos for the clutches and brakes and solenoid valves under the control of a microprocessor for developing solenoid valve signals that control actuation of the shift control valves, the shift control valves being interactive, one with respect to the other, to effect multiple shift functions in response to selective actuation of the solenoid valves whereby the number of solenoid valves required is reduced and the hydraulic circuitry for the valve elements is simplified.

Automatic transaxle control system for an automotive vehicle

The hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission includes solenoid-operated clutch pressure valves which selectively connect line pressure to the selected clutch as the winding of the solenoids are energized and de-energized by an electronic control system. A solenoid feed valve and feedback valve operate to connect line pressure to the input port of the several clutch actuator valves, provided the clutch pressures are within certain limits. If these limits are exceeded, line pressure is disconnected from the actuator valves and is applied, instead, automatically and without respect to electronic control, to the clutches that produce a predetermined gear ratio. A coast control valve operates to regulate pressure to a servo that is pressurized at a lower level for low gear ratio operation and at a higher level for reverse drive operation. The coast control valve vents the servo if either of the clutches that produce the predetermined speed ratio are pressurized. A line pressure regulator and boost valve act in combination with an on-off valve whose state is determined by a solenoid. Minimum line pressure is established at a minimum value, determined by the pressure drops across two orifices whose sizes are predetermined, when the solenoid opens line pressure to a vent port. Maximum line pressure is determined by pressure forces developed on a boost valve when the line pressure regulator solenoid closes the boost line to the vent port.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Dennis W Person